Player supported game board



1969 H. R. SAUNDERS PLAYER SUPPORTED GAME BOARD Filed July 12, 1967 FIGQ5 TU nhwj m2 W V Q mm m WWW/ o A TTOIPNE Y 1 3,471,154 PLAYER SUPPORTED GAME BOARD Harvey R. Saunders, 412 Sinclair SL,

Norfolk, Va. 23505 Filed July 12,1967, Ser. No. 652,886"

Int. Cl. A63b 67/14 US. Cl. 273-113 7 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The invention relates to a game in whicha game board is provided, at opposite ends thereof, with support means. The game board is provided with a plurality of pockets into which at least one annulus may be rolled. In order to roll the annulus into one of the pockets, the opponents or game players, manipulate their bodies or abdomens which are in communication with the support means and the winner of the game is able to manipulate the game board and the annulus, without the use of his hands, to put the annulus into one of the pockets.

This invention relates to a game and more particular a game which requires manipulation of the opponents body without using the hands.

Heretofore numerous gams'have been promulgated requiring the use of hand and body manipulations in order to place an object in a particular position. However,'none of these prior art devices appear merely to utilize body manipulations, only, to accomplish a definite objective in a competitive game.

It is the object of the present invention to provide a game in which two or more persons playing competitively utilize merely their body manipulations to achieve a specific objective. v

Another object of the present invention is to competively place at least one annulus in a position on a game board using body manipulations.

A further object of the present invention i to utilize body contortions to control the movement of an annulus.

Yet the further object of the present invention is to provide a body manipulatable game board.

The above mentioned objects and other objects of the present invention, which will become apparent as the description proceeds, are achieved by providing a game playable by two opponents comprising a game board, support means disposed on opposite ends of said game board adapted for communication with parts of the bodies of the opponents, said game board being manipulatable by the opponents, said game board having therein a plurality of pockets, and an annulus adapted to be freely movable on said game board and capable of being rolled into said plurality of pockets by manipulation of the game board Without the use of the opponents hands.

For a better understanding of the present invention reference should be had to the accompanying drawings wherein like numerals of reference indicate similar parts throughout the several views and wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a pictorial representation of the game being played,

FIGURE 2 is a plan view of one embodiment of the game board,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the game board of FIGURE 2, and partial cross section,

FIGURE 4 is a plan view of an alternative embodiment of the game board, and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of another alternative embodiment of the game board, and

Referring now to FIGURES 1 and 2, a body manipulatable game board is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10.

F-lCe The game board 10 may be composed of any generally light-weight material such as aluminum, plastic, beaver board or wood, although any other suitable material may be used. As shown in FIGURE 2, the game board may take the general shape of an oval although it is not to be considered as restricted to that shape. For example the game board 10 may take the'shape of a circle, square, or rectangle. Y

' The game board 10 may be provided at opposite ends thereof with a support means 12, one on each end 14. Both support means, for convenience, may be fixedly connected to the underside 16 of the game board and may extend outwardly from the ends 14. As shown in FIGURE 2, the outer edges 18 of the support means are concave such that the abdomen of an individualmay fit comfortably therein (shown in FIGURE 1).

As may be seen in FIGURE 3, the upper surface 20 of the game board 10 may be generally flat so that an annulus or ball 22 may freely roll thereon when the game board 10 is tilted or moved. In order to catch the annulus or ball 22, the game board may have disposed therein a plurality of holes 24. Each of the holes 24, are larger in size than the annulus or ball 22 so that the annulus may be rolled therein. In order to catch the annulus 22 and prevent the same from falling through the hole 24 to the floor each hole 24 may be provided with catch means 26 which may take the form of cup-like cloth or netting.

. Around the outer periphery of the game board 10 there may be provided a raised ridge portion 28, in the form of a small vertical Wall 30 which is used primarily to prevent the annulus 22 from rolling oil the game boar 10 during the movement thereof.

It should be noted that the game board 10 may be so constructed as to be a foldable type so that it is capable of folding into a package considerably smaller than its fully playable size. t

In operation the game is played by two persons who stand at the ends of the game board 10. Each of the support means, one at each end, is placed against the abdomen of the two opposing players such that the inwardly applied pressure of the abdomens of the players will hold the game board 10 between them without the use of the players hands. An annulus or ball 22 may be placed in the center of the game board 10 and it thereafter is the object of the game for each player to manipulate the game board 10 so that the annulus 22 will roll into the hole 24 nearest his opponent. It is particularly understood that the game board 10 is not to be touched by the players hands but the game board 10 is to be manipulated, simultaneously, by the gyrations of the abdomens of the opposing players. Again, the object of the game is to place the annulus in the hole 24 nearest your opponent. When the ball 22 enters the hole 24 it may be caught by the catch means 26 and the point is won by the man who was able to manipulate the annulus 22 into the hole 24 nearest his opponent.

It may be noted that belts 32 may be (shown in FIGURE 4) provided at the support means 12 so that the players may fasten themselves to the game board 10 and in that manner lessen the likelihood of dropping the game board 10 while the game is being played. Although belts 32 are herein shown as a means of fastening, the game board 10 to the body of each player, it should be noted particularly that other forms of fastening means may be provided which may be more or less elaborate.

Although numerous variations in shape and design may be made in relation to the game board 10 without departing from the essence of the invention. FIGURES 4 and 5 indicate merely two of the alternative embodiments.

As shown in FIGURE 4, a game board 10 of slightly different shape than that shown in the preferred embodiment is provided with support means 12' at the ends 14' thereof. The surface 20' may be provided with a pair of holes 24 one at each end of game board 10. An annulus 22 is provided so that it may freely roll on the flat surface of the game board during the manipulation thereof by the opposing players. Near the frontof each hole 24 there may be provided an obstruction 34 which will make it more difiicult for the players to manipulate the annulus 22 into the hole 24'. There may be further provided a plurality of upright pegs 36 which may be randomly disposed on the game board 10' to further complicate the path of the annulus as it is being manipulated by the opposing players. The object of the game, of course, is to try to place the annulus 22 in the hole 24' nearest your opponent. Here again this may be accomplished by the gyration of the players bodies while supporting the game board 10' on their abdomens.

As described in relation to the preferred embodiment shown in FIGURE 2, but shown in FIGURE 4, a belt or fastening means 32 may be utilized to keep the game board 10, through the support means 12' against the body of the players.

Referring now to FIGURE another slightly different version of the same game is illustrated, again without departing from the essence of the invention. The game board herein shown discloses a rectangular shaped board having disposed at its ends 14" a support means 12". The flat surface 20 has provided therein a plurality of holes 24". As shown in FIGURE 5 at each end of the game board 10" there may be provided a grouping of holes 24". A plurality of annuli or balls 22" may be provided and in this instance the object of the game is to pocket more balls 22", than your opponent by bodily manipulating the game board 10".

In each of the above described alternative embodiments catch means 26', 26" respectively, are provided so that the annulus does not fall to the floor when it is caught in the hole 24, 24".

It may be noted that in any of the forms hereinabove described, forms of the game obstacles of various types, sizes and shapes may be adhered to the game board 10, 10-, 10" to make it more difiicult to bodily manipulate the annulus into the various holes provided on the game boards. Further the material used in the construction of the game, although forming no part of the invention, is understood to be tough enough to withstand the unusual abuse and rough treatment inherent in the game.

Further, the game board, in any of its various forms, may be made collapsible for convenience of shipping and handling.

It will be recognized by those skilled in the art that the objects of this invention have been achieved by providing a game board which is supported by two opposing players bodies, without the use of their hands, and

which may be manipulated by the gyrations of their bodies to place an annulus in a prescribed place or position.

Although a preferred and alternative embodiments have hereinabove been described in detail in accordance with the patent statutes, it should be particularly understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

I claim: I

1. A game to be played by opposing players comprising a game board, ,at least two rigid support means connected to said game board, each of the rigid support means-is provided with a concave surface which is directly engageable with the abdomens of the opposing players, a plurality of holes disclosed in said game board, and an annulus freely movable on said game board when said game board is tilted or moved, said game board being adapted to be manipulated and supported only by the bodies of the opposing players without the use of the players hands until said annulus is maneuvered into one of said plurality of holes.

2. A game according to claim 1 wherein said game board is provided with opposing ends, said support means being connectable to said game board and extending outwardly past said opposing ends.

3. A game according to claim 2 wherein a catch means is connected beneath each of said plurality of holes to catch the annulus as it is manipulated into one of said plurality of holes.

4. A game according to claim 3 wherein a vertical wall is connected around the periphery of said game board to prevent the annulus from rolling therefrom.

5. A game according to claim 4 wherein a plurality of obstacles are placed at various points on said game board to make it more difficult to maneuver said annulus into one of said plurality of holes.

6. A game according to claim 5 wherein a fastening means is connected to each of said support means and is adapted to hold the body of each opposing player in contact with said concave surface of said support means.

7. A game according to claim 6 wherein a plurality of annuli are provided.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,104,877 9/1963 Gross 272-57 X 3,236,522 2/1966 Brown 273-116 X FOREIGN PATENTS 322,127 11/ 1929 Great Britain. 1,274,045 9/1961 France.

U.S. C1. X.R.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner THOMAS ZACK, Assistant Examiner 

